Tom Brady addresses plans to work as broadcaster for Fox

Tom Brady reaffirmed two commitments. On Thursday, the now ex-superstar quarterback made it clear his retirement is permanent. And, he will work for Fox. So stop the chatter.

You’re probably thinking you’ve heard this before. Yes, Tom Brady did retire. He posted a video to all his social media accounts back on Feb. 1 saying he’s retiring. In 2022, he signed a huge deal to be the lead analyst for Fox’s NFL coverage once he retired. However, after his official retirement announcement this year, he deferred his TV work until the 2024 season.

But NFL fans and the reporters who cover the league just can’t quit Tom Brady. They had their reasons, good or flimsy. After all, Brady stayed retired the first time all of 40 days before he got the itch again. In 2023, it’s been four months and Brady still hasn’t tried to scratch.

He did a podcast with Sports Illustrated Thursday to emphasize he’s not coming back. He talked about it all, including his plans to buy part of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I’m certain I’m not playing again,” Tom Brady said. “I tried to make that clear. I hate to continue to profess that because I’ve already told people that lots of times.

“Looking forward to my broadcasting job with Fox next year,” Brady said. “Looking forward to the opportunity I have with the Raiders, we’re in the process with that. …In my personal life (looking forward to) spending as much time with my kids as I can, seeing them grow up and supporting the different things they have going on. That’s a very important job and I take them all very seriously.”

You can watch the video of it yourself. Does he sound emphatic enough?

Tom Brady is not coming back, from Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/1DrYsyfAkl

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) June 1, 2023

The Raiders deal, which was announced last month, revived the Tom Brady retirement (conspiracy) theories. Brady wanted to buy a minority share of the team. And new Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garopollo, a one-time Brady backup, couldn’t pass a physical when he signed with the Raiders in March. He’s since had foot surgery. So maybe Brady puts on the pads again to help his personal investment. Two outlets even got the NFL to clarify if an owner can play for his own team. (The answer was yes. But Brady doesn’t plan to ask).

So Tom Brady did another video.

He also spoke to ESPN Thursday afternoon about his future plans, which don’t involve throwing a football. He’ll stay close to the game thanks to his new relationship with the Raiders. Plus, he’ll be talking all things football in 2024.

“I … want to be involved in the NFL for the next 45 years of my life if I last that long,” he said. In 45 years, he’ll be 90.

Plus, Brady doesn’t think the game needs him anymore. There are so many really good quarterbacks taking over the NFL from Patrick Mahomes to Joe Burrow, from Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.

“The game’s in great hands,” Tom Brady said. “It’s time for other guys to do it. … Now I’m just a retired NFL player looking forward to watching all these guys.”